Chapter 4

"Ethan, come here a second."

I pulled Ethan into my study for a private chat. I took out a few bars of expensive chocolate, holding them out as a bribe. What kid could resist?

His eyes lit up, and he scurried over.

"What's that, Dad?"

"Chocolate. It's yummy," I replied.

I handed it to him, ruffling his hair.

"Ethan, tell me something. Do you like animals?"

He tore into the wrapper, stuffing a piece in his mouth.

"Yeah," he mumbled around the mouthful. "Cats and dogs are fun."

"So, where do you usually go to find them to play with?"